About

Gregory Phillips established ABSTARR in 2007 to lead change.

CHANGE

We lead change by facilitating transformational growth in culturally safe environments.

For example, we are working with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to ensure 670 000 health professionals understand and enact their roles in patient safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

EXCELLENCE

For example, we are working with the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet to ensure self-determination for Aboriginal peoples is real and respectful as they begin steps to negotiating a treaty with the First Peoples.

CLARITY

We bring clarity and confidence to those who want to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For example, we are working with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd to ensure their strategic vision is realised.

What problem do we solve?

Many groups have taken positive steps towards inclusion in service delivery (eg Indigenous flags and artwork, RAPs, employment strategies & NAIDOC Week activities), yet many organisations and programs are still not producing excellence.

We help you understand the structural and human factors at work in your organisation by using the best evidence, razor-sharp analysis and crystal clear strategic thinking to get you optimal results.

ABSTARR guarantees a professional approach at all times, is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated consulting business, and is certified with Supply Nation.

Outcomes

Some of the recent outcomes achieved by ABSTARR include:

Producing a strong definition and rationale for self-determination in Korin Korin Balit-Djak – the new Victorian Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategy

Clarifying the thinking of the Queensland Department of Communities and the Department of Attorney General in relation to issues of cultural safety, whiteness, and power-sharing

Working with the professions of medicine, nursing, psychology, dentistry and others to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is addressed in curricula, training and accreditation

See the results page for a full list of the change ABSTARR Consulting leads.

Professor Gregory Phillips

Chief Executive OfficerABSTARR Consulting

ABSTARR Consulting is led by Gregory Phillips. Gregory is from the Waanyi and Jaru Aboriginal Australian peoples, and comes from Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

He is a leading change maker, thought leader and medical anthropologist.

He has lived, worked and studied with Indigenous peoples globally for the last twenty-five years.

Gregory's unique gift is his ability to facilitate thought-provoking meetings and workshops where participants learn to respectfully apply Aboriginal values and knowledge in community, business and government settings.

Gregory is a respected public spokesperson on issues of cultural safety, race, whiteness and power, while also consulting in transformational learning and leadership.

He developed an accredited Indigenous health curriculum for all medical schools in Australia and New Zealand, founded the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network, and co-wrote a national Indigenous health workforce strategy. He established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation Ltd in the wake of the federal apology to Indigenous Australians, has advised federal ministers on Indigenous health inequality, and was honoured in 2011 with an ADC Australian Leadership Forum Award.

Gregory has a PhD (‘Dancing With Power: Aboriginal Health, Cultural Safety and Medical Education’), a research master’s degree in medical science (‘Addictions and Healing in Aboriginal Country’; published as a book in 2003), and a bachelor degree in arts (Aboriginal Studies and Government majors).

Gregory is Chief Executive Officer of ABSTARR Consulting and is a Professor of First People’s Health in the School of Medicine at Griffith University (Adjunct). He serves on several boards and committees, including chairing the Cathy Freeman Foundation and AHPRA and the Australian Medical Council’s Indigenous health strategy groups.

Gregory Phillips’ credentials include:

Professor of First Peoples Health in the School of Medicine, Griffith University (adjunct)

Medical anthropologist with a PhD, master’s degree in medical science, and bachelor’s degree in Aboriginal studies and government.

Established an accredited Indigenous health curriculum framework for all medical schools in Australia and New Zealand

Founded the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network

Established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation Ltd

25 years work experience in healing, alcohol and other drugs, youth empowerment, medical education and health workforce

Advisor to federal and state ministers on Indigenous health inequality

Honoured in 2011 with an ADC Australian Leadership Forum Award (the Australian Davos Connection is a not-for-profit leadership organisation founded by Australian participants in the World Economic Forum)

A published book – ‘Addictions and Healing in Aboriginal Country’ (Aboriginal Studies Press, 2003) – an analysis of post-traumatic stress syndromes and addiction Aboriginal communities

Jump up and travel with the light…

“In the dreaming, before there was any light, two young fellas were walking along in the dark. One decided to stay in the dark, and one chose to jump up and travel with the light. That’s you… shooting star. You decided to jump up and travel with the light.”

Uncle Arthur Peterson, Waanyi Elder, 1990

"Greg was a fantastic facilitator for our work. He encouraged and elicited strong engagement from participants in both large and small forums, and was able to expertly guide a range of discussions on complex and sensitive material."

"Greg, you were superb... You brought a splendid mix of expert knowledge, empathy, and the ability to listen. You also handled the Q&A sessions with the panels extremely well, and kept the conversation at the right respect-based level. I look forward to our next opportunity to meet."

His Excellency Paul MaddisonHigh Commission of Canada

"Australia should listen to impressive and strong Aboriginal younger leaders and scientists like Gregory Phillips"

Emeritus Professor Fiona StanleyThe University of Western Australia and former Australian of the Year

"A remarkable…and talented thinker and writer in the field."

Dr Jackie HugginsCongress of Australia’s First Peoples

"Thank you for your presentation at the Koori Justice Forum last week. It was so powerful, and just gave us all a bigger view and slightly different language for what we're all trying to do. It really opened our eyes."

"We support Gregory as a leading expert in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curricula development and inter-professional education… He is also a nationally recognised advocate on racism, cultural safety and diversity with professional and personal investment in everything he does…. IAHA highly recommends Abstarr to any stakeholder who wants to invest in a highly skilled, knowledgeable, respected and experienced consultancy that truly values the cultural, spiritual, physical, emotional and social factors that influence their work to ensure sustainable successful outcomes."